The USDA National Organics Program (NOP) is supposed to be about protecting our organic food supply, and ensuring that what we rely on as good, clean food stays that way. But is the NOP really doing its job in the wake of the radiation threat emanating from Japan?

The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) continues to release new data showing that various milk and water supply samples from across the US are testing increasingly high for radioactive elements such as Iodine-131, Cesium-134, and Cesium-137, all of which are being emitted from the ongoing Fukushima Daiichia nuclear fallout. As of April 10, 2011, 23 US water supplies have tested positive for radioactive Iodine-131, and worst of all, milk samples from at least three US locations have tested positive for Iodine-131 at levels exceeding EPA maximum containment levels (MCL).

Cows eat contaminated grass, drink contaminated water, and lo and behold, we find radioactive elements in their milk. So, I contacted Shannon Nally of the NOP, to find out if the USDA is performing any testing of organic milk for radiation contamination. Her response was “there is no required testing for radioactive particles in organic milk.” I then asked her if the NOP has any plans for such testing and her response was “there are no plans to do so.”

So, head in the sand, the NOP falls in line with the official government policy of see no evil, hear no evil, and speak no evil, even if it means promoting radioactive milk with the USDA Certified Organic seal of approval.

I would rethink that decision. Here is a statement from NMPF Statement on U.S. Radiation Testing”

The following statement is in response to questions regarding the effect of the Japan accident on the U.S. milk supply:

Rest assured, the U.S. milk supply is safe for everyone to drink, including children and infants. The Food and Drug Administration and the Environmental Protection Agency have stated that there is no public health concern in the United States as a result of the nuclear accident that occurred in Japan. Consumer safety is the highest priority for dairy farmers and dairy foods companies, and the U.S. dairy industry will continue to work closely with federal and state government agencies to ensure that we maintain a safe milk supply. http://www.nmpf.org/latest-new.....ilk-supply

Notice that there is NO mention of testing milk for radiation. “The FDA and the EPA have stated that there is no public health concern.” Therefore NO EXTRA TESTING REQUIRED FOR ANY MILK. The FDA routinely takes a small sample of milk and tests for radiation every 3 months http://www.truth-out.org/epa-h.....1308835471. I was hoping that the organic community would step up and require extra testing, but this did not happen. At this point, if you can’t milk your own animals, then organic is better than regular. I don’t drink any milk that doesn’t come from what I know is a clean source.

After reading this, I am going back to regular milk. I thought organic milk producers would take more initiative to ensure their milks are healthy. But since I assumed wrong, I might as well drink the cheaper milk. At least I know the government is testing this milk

Why do people in charge put their head in the sand??? Why can’t they use their noggans to figure things out without having to be told exactly what to do – shame on you people. Get with the program just like the general population has to do – we are all in this world together – why don’t you try acting like it.